- Professor of Russian and Slavonic Studies at the University of Sheffield awarded for contribution to Czech-UK relations
- Professor Neil Bermel’s career not only includes research in variation in grammar and form but also language culture and translating Czech texts
- Czech Ambassador Libor Sečka presented the award to Professor Neil Bermel
The School of Languages and Cultures (SLC) at the University of Sheffield is delighted to announce that Professor Neil Bermel has received a prestigious award for his contribution to the development of Czech-British relations.
The ‘Silver Medal of Jan Masaryk’ is given by the Czech Embassy in London, honouring contributions to those who have helped develop relations between the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.
Professor Neil Bermel received the award having taught and researched in the area of Czech linguistics, chairing a community group (the Czech and Slovak Society Sheffield) and becoming a strong promoter of academic ties with the Czech Republic.
Professor Bermel said: "One of SLC's hidden strengths is the strong relationship between our less-commonly-taught language programmes and the governments of their home countries. I'm very honoured to have had my work in the field recognised in this way by Ambassador Sečka.”
Ambassador Secka wished to award the Silver Medal in order to recognise those who work towards cooperation between the UK and the Czech Republic and personally expressed his gratitude to those nominated.
Professor Bermel’s research centres on variation in grammar and form in the Czech and Russian languages. His work has also spread into other areas of language culture, working on linguistic landscapes and language management at Czech heritage sites and having translated four works of contemporary Czech literature.
Since 1996, Professor Bermel has worked at the SLC, teaching and researching in the area of Czech language and linguistics. He was head of Russian and Slavonic studies from 2007-2009 before becoming head of the SLC between 2009-2014. He then returned to his post as head of Russian and Slavonic from 2016-2017 before taking a role as Director of Research for the school.
Professor Bermel joins SLC academics Dr Henriette Louwerse (Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, the Netherlands) and emeritus professor Gerald Newton (Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) in being honoured by the country they have promoted in their teaching, research and outreach.
